DMA Names Lawrence Kimmel CEO

Six months after the ouster of former CEO John Greco, the Direct Marketing Association has named Lawrence Kimmel as its new chief executive.

Lawrence Kimmel is the former CEO and chairman of Grey Direct Global Network, a position he held from 2000 until 2008, prior to which he held various roles at G2 Direct, Grey Direct, and draftfcb. After leaving in 2008, he founded a medical products company with his wife, Tara Allmen.

Kimmel will be based in the DMA’s New York headquarters, a location (allegedly) not often graced with the presence of his predecessor. In addition to being criticized for absentee management, John Greco’s viability was weakened by a conspicuous proxy fight with former board member Gerry Pike. Pike alleged that the association had been mismanaged under Greco’s leadership, and he asked a large number of the DMA’s members to assign him their proxy vote.

“As membership, revenue and reserves have plunged DMA’s management has cloaked its intentions from members and closed off communication,” stated that letter in a passage quoted by Direct Magazine and other marketing sites.

In a statement, board chairman Steven Dapper said of Kimmel, “He will bring to DMA an extraordinary depth of global experience, a strong management capability, and powerful insights into the evolving and exhilarating direct and digital marketplaces.”